Decided to visit this cinema with the boyfriend to see Ant-man (amazing movie) after a late lunch.
We decided to purchase standard tickets for seats in the back row of the cinema - I prefer these seats as they offer a little more space to relax and the best views of the screen (without forking out extra for the premier seats).
A few words of warning from the wise:
- If the colleague collecting tickets at the entrance to the screening area tells you to move to another till point (because the queue will move quicker) do not listen... He lies. Having waited for ten minutes in line at the first till point we switched queue to find ourselves stuck behind the most indecisive couple who sought only to confuse the cashier with the most obscure requests; mind-boggling.
- The cinema is a mobile signal black spot; if you're meeting friends then do so outside and make sure you're finished with your mobile before you enter, otherwise you may find yourself cut-off from the outside world!
The screen and sound systems are perfect, possibly the best complex I've been in - the speakers especially did not give off that metallic/'tinny' noise you often find in older cinemas.
The downfall was definitely the cleanliness of the seats and floor. It is such a pity that customers don't clean up after themselves but in the same vein, Vue should really recognise that customers are paying a small fortune so would expect a clean, comfortable seat when they arrive. I think a deep-clean or reupholstering is overdue - though I'd happily take a disposable seat cover if that was offered. I am of course just being facetious, but these are real issues that wind me up a little when I visit the cinema.
What am I paying for besides staff wages, movie costs, utilities and corporate profits? I want to have a great cinema experience!
In addition to this we purchased a regular sweet popcorn, an Americano and a Tango Ice-Blast (Tropical and Blue Raspberry flavours) which came to a total cost of £12.
The popcorn was a bit of a mixed-bag in terms of quality; some of it was stale, while other parts were decent. I don't know why I continue to purchase popcorn in the cinema anymore, as the lack of authenticity ruins the flavour and overall snacking experience! There's a cinema in Aberdeen that continues to offer freshly popped corn at a lower price, so to suggest that the operational costs make this option unviable is simply untrue. I think I just enjoy the nostalgia that comes with purchasing popcorn in the cinema... Or I lack the foresight to visit Asda beforehand.
The Ice-Blast (I couldn't even tell you how much this thing cost, truthfully I don't even care - it's a staple of my cinema visits where I order one to share with the boyfriend and end up drinking it all myself. Sorry Scott, you know I adore you) was awesome! It's one of those treats that leaves you wishing you could have had all of the flavours instead of just two, but I think the staff would just respond with absolute disgust at such an idea!
The toilet facilities here are average, they definitely need a facelift with some decent hand dryers installed.
The colleague who prepared our drinks was incredibly cheerful, definitely in stark contrast with our previous visits. I think her happiness was infectious, as I found myself smiling and chatting away. Now that I think of it, I believe her manner and happiness may have resulted in an impulse purchase. I think Vue may - one day - leave me bankrupt.
All-in this is a good cinema once you get into the screen to watch your film. It's only let down by the length of queues, poor service continuity, price of snacks and the ticket-collector who makes you late for the beginning of your movie! read more